How to choose a live streaming company to create an engaging virtual event
Are you looking to use live web streaming for your next business event? By choosing a live streaming company that understands the areas explored in this post, you’ll improve your chances of creating a successful event that really engages with your audience, and gets the right results for your business.
Knowing what’s involved: combining video production, live events and tech
Live streaming is a convergence of three different industries: internet technology, live events and video/broadcast production. A competent live streaming provider will understand this, and will have experience across all three areas.
- Live events: experience in creating an engaging live event that connects with your target audience, and runs to schedule
- Video Production: knowing how to produce high quality video content, with correct lighting and clear audio
- Internet Technology: understanding of the best live streaming platform for your needs, and how to technically get the video stream out to your audience on the internet
For example, it’s no good knowing all about internet streaming tech, but having no clue about how to run live events. Or it won’t help having a background only in live events, but no idea about video and broadcast production.
By using a live streaming production company who has an understanding and experience across all three areas, you ensure your event will have the greatest chance of success online.
A different type of audience
Traditional physical events tend to have a captive audience – all sitting in a dark conference room, school classroom or convention centre, for example. But with a live streaming event, it’s important to understand that your audience is in a completely different world, and state of mind.
With many people working from home and so many other distractions, we can’t assume to hold the same length and depth of attention from our audiences. So live streaming events should be planned accordingly – creating a shorter event is usually better, often no more than 60-90 minutes for content-rich events.
If your live stream does need to go for over 60 minutes, we suggest planning in ‘brain breaks’ for 2- 5 minutes throughout the event. This helps break things up, and will give your audience time to get up and stretch, grab a drink and take a short break. Your audience will retain more information, as it gives their brain time to process what they’ve just heard.
Customer focussed
A video streaming provider should take a deliberate customer-focused approach, if they understand the role that live video streaming plays in your company’s marketing, training and communications.
Too often, many live streaming companies forget the greater purpose and get too caught up in all their technology. We hear stories of poor communication in the lead up to events, or not having the right manner when dealing with an executive leadership team.
It doesn’t need to be that way. A professional streaming provider will understand there’s a lot going on at your business, and will go above and beyond to make sure they’re efficient, professional, and enjoyable to work with. They’ll turn up on time – cool, calm and collected.
Planning your live streaming event
Video streaming must be effective at achieving a greater business goal, or solving a particular challenge.
Unlike many web streaming companies who often just focus on their cool technology and equipment, an experienced streaming production company will understand that video streaming is a tool, used to meet a greater business objective.
To start with, they should ask about your overall business objective – are you looking to support your workplace through an info session, or engage with prospective customers through an online product demo?
Understanding the initial business objective will help shape the production and delivery of the streamed event.
Ideas for engaging events
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to continue engaging with your networks and communicate your messages. Live streaming is a great way to fill this gap, and continue supporting your event attendees, staff and customers.
Some ideas for engaging live streaming events include:
- Industry engagement events
- ‘Ask an expert’ Q&A sessions
- Virtual town-hall meetings
- Online product demonstrations
- Internal company updates to all staff
- Workshop sessions with clients
- Live performances
- Remotely streamed training videos
Live streaming will help keep your presence online, and remind customers you’re still open for business, ready to help.
Working with an experienced and professional live streaming company will ensure your next event delivers maximum impact and engagement with your audience.
This guest post is written by Edwin Davis, Creative Director & Video Producer at Video Production Brisbane
Ryan Spanger is one of Melbourne’s most respected and sought-after video production professionals. Ryan founded Dream Engine in 2002, and specialises in helping medium to large corporates, government departments, and the non-profit sector to connect with their audience more effectively by using video.
